expected kittens

Question
QUESTION: hi marcia,  we have a cat who will give birth soon. Within 2  weeks we think. Quite fat now. She's just a "mutt" breed all black. Obviously the male is the pesty white guy outside. My possible problem is that she is barely more than a kitten herself. Only 11 months old. How are her instincts at that age? I haven't noticed any specific nesting habit of gathering clothing etc. She has the run of the house so we are wondering how to get her to birth in the box we have?? She doesn't seem to like the places and boxes we have in those places. She seems to prefer crawling under the bed. If she births under there and we put the kittens and her in a box will she stay in it?? I have no problem with helping her birth the kittens but what exactly should I watch for during the process? No one is home from 6a.m. to 6 p.m. so how much "cleaning up" will she do for them in the weeks after? She really doesn't have a certain place she sleeps. We are concerned about being able to find the little critters afterward. We have an older female cat too (12 yrs...spayed) but that cat will just want to stay away right? The dog we have may be a problem with the kittens. I'm betting on under the bed because the dog can't get there. Comments??

ANSWER: Hi Wayne

You are in for an exciting time.  

Bear in mind that 11 months is very young and whilst her hormones said she was ready for kittens, her body may not have caught up with the idea.  Many young cats kitten with no problem but there are some that have problems and need veterinary assistance.  I note you say that no-one is home for a long part of the day but it would be a good idea if someone could be with her at the time of birthing just in case.  Just consider what might happen if she starts to have kittens just after you leave at 6am and there is no-one to take her to vet if nothing happens (kitten stuck etc.) within 2/3 hours.  She may be beyond help by 6pm.  I know it will be difficult to tell exactly when she is due but is there someone that can sit with her when she is near her time.

As she is a young cat and this is her first litter she may not start looking to nest until virtually her time.  Even experienced breeding cats don't always do this.  Then again she may start looking in the next week or so. If you are not around at the time of birthing then she will have the kittens where she wants them, but if you are around it is possible to encourage her to have them in the box that you have chosen.  She may be happy for you to move them into the box afterwards but I think in the end she will take them back to her chosen place if she has access to it, so you may want to consider shutting the bedroom door for a while.

When she is about to start, you may see some discharge and sometimes the cat will go into labour shortly afterwards but this phase can last up to 24 hours.  She will probably become more restless around this time and be looking for a place to have them.  Once she has started pushing well take a note of the time and if she hasn't produced anything at her back end (i.e. you see the kitten appearing) in 2 hours then seek veterinary help.  Usually once you see the bubble of the first kitten, the rest will follow in due course.

Your older cat will make her own mind up as to whether she wants to be involved.  The chances are she will keep her distance for a while though may become curious later on and play with the kittens.  I wouldn't consider a threat as neutered cats rarely harm kittens.  Your dog may be the problem so you may need to watch how things go

Do try to make sure your girl has somewhere quiet and dark for her kittens otherwise she may keep moving them around the house.

Good luck.

Marcia

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hello again, Thank you very much. Great help. I just hope someone is here when the kittens arrive. We've made arrangements for my step-son to come home straight from school. He is 16 and is ok on helping with the birth. I explained what to do. Funny thing is my step-daughter (15) wants no part of it. I said, "well you're a girl GEEEESH!" So that cuts the time alone down to 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. And we're going to leave the cat in an enclosed room during that time. More info....she now is disappearing for hours at a time. It's difficult to find her. Example this morning she was sleeping under the clothes dryer. Last night she somehow managed to jump 6 feet up on the closet shelf,  took hours finding her there. She is restless. The 2 cats do NOT get along, never have. Even tho they have been together 8 months the older hates the younger. But the last 2 days the older is closely trailing the other. Wheather thats good or not I'm not sure. The dog....our bitch Husky is my highest concern. She has always played a lot with the cat. They get along well asnd play with the husky carrying the cat around by the head which I am trying to break her of but the cat seems to like it. Plus the Husky is in heat herself now. That worries me because her being in heat may bring the "mothering" hormones and she'll be more apt to cause the kittens problems.
   To be on the safe side I'm going to put the cat in the exclosed laundry room, 24/7,  until the day arrives.
wayne

Answer
Hi Wayne

Your girl may be getting in difficult places because of your other cat following her around and just wants to chill out in peace.

I'm glad your step-son is happy to help.  As your girl is young and it is her first litter she may not be totally sure of what to do when the kittens arrive so I would make sure that the face is cleared of the sac first of all so that the kitten can breathe.  I have three breeds and the Birmans just don't seem too worried about doing that bit so I always make sure I do it so that the kitten doesn't drown.  When the placenta appears after the kitten, she may chew the cord but if not (as in the Birmans) I make sure I have clean hands and then rip the cord with my finger nails.  Do the pulling towards the kitten.  The Mum may want to eat the placenta which she should be allowed to if she wants.

I would be very careful with the Husky and the kittens until you can gauge how she will be.  She may not know her own strength if she does take a kitten by the head.  You might find the Mum a bit protective anyway and will ward the dog off anyway.

I do hope all goes well for you.

Marcia.